When May 8 comes, the Columbus School’s halls will be quieter. Seniors will have left the classrooms, not in rebellion, with satisfaction. They will be nearly finished with their student life, their ISC projects marking the beginning of the end.

May 7 is their final day of classes for members of the Class of 2025. Early departure isn’t about skipping school—it’s about closing a big chapter. With graduation just six weeks away, on June 7, seniors now weigh anticipation, nostalgia, and uncertainty as they prepare to depart the place they have called home for years.

It is all seen firsthand by Maria Teresa Mejía, the school counselor.

“Some of them are happy, some are anxious, some are sad,” Mejia said. “They’re leaving a place that’s been their home for fourteen years—it’s a lot.”

She also admitted that the transition is emotional for her, too.

“I’m really sad, actually. I’m going to miss you guys so much. This class has a special place in my heart,” Mejia said.

For many seniors, the final stretch of high school has not been what they imagined.

“I want to leave now,” Gregorio Suárez, senior, said. “I’m really bored with this school year. I thought it would be fun, but there’s just so much work. I want to get out of here—but yeah, it’s nostalgic too.”

Not every student is rushing toward the finish line, though. Some are finding themselves caught in the moment.

“It’s a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and nervousness,” Simón Álvarez, senior, said. “Some days I want it to end, but other days, I want time to slow down.”

Andrew Shainker, Journalism teacher,  who has guided this class since their sophomore year, has them change.

“I think you guys have matured,” Shainker said. “There’s still room to grow when it comes to deadlines, but you’re going to be prepared for college.”

Still, Shainker is guarded against one common senior-year phenomenon: senioritis.

“I call it senioritis. It’s not a real disease, but I had it too. You feel like you’ve made it, so why keep trying? But this final assignment is something I want you to be proud of. Something that means something.” Shainker said.

Alvarez reflected on what he’ll carry with him most from his high school years.

“The small moments stick with me the most,” he said. “Late-night study sessions, hallway conversations, performing at school events… those memories are everything.”

For many students, friendships have served as emotional anchors.

“My friends have been my anchor during this journey,” Alvarez added. “They made high school feel like home.”

Suarez has felt a shift in how relationships evolve as the end nears.

“You come closer to the people that really matter,” he said. “And you leave behind those who don’t.”

The ISC project and early departure offer a real sense of closure—and raise real questions about what comes next.

“We don’t really offer anything post-graduation,” Mejía admitted. “But my advice is simple: stay connected. Your relationships—those matter most. Build new ones too.”

She also emphasized the importance of self-care in this time of transition.

“Take care of your body and mind. This is the time in your life when you get to explore what you love,” Mejia said.

For Shainker, the ISC isn’t just a project—it’s a legacy.

“I hope they don’t take life so seriously,” he said. “I hope they had fun. I hope they’re proud of what they made here, because their name—Agustín Sierra, for example—will live on the web. These articles will show up when you Google yourself. That’s something to remember.”

Looking forward, this year’s seniors have advice for those who follow.

“Be present,” Alvarez said. “Don’t rush through things. Try new activities. Be yourself.”

Even for the most confident, the coming changes can feel daunting.

“Change is hard,” Alvarez admitted. “But I’m learning to trust the process.”

In that quiet trust between memories and milestones, a new chapter waits.

“As we ring the last bell, we hope to leave a standing legacy at TCS, inspiring future generations”, Santiago Lopez, Personero, said.